Opioid Epidemic in the US

If you have a family member who deals with an opioid addiction, you understand how taxing it can be on your family. It can be really challenging to maintain a semblance of normal life when you have a family member who doesn’t understand how to break past an addiction. It’s hard to not take it personally when they act out of character because of their addiction. The Opioid Epidemic in the US is obviously a serious matter. It’s important to remember that it is rampant and can happen in any family. It’s not your fault. However, there are things you can do to maintain your sanity during this process. Consider these five tips to help you maintain your sanity when a loved one struggles with an opioid addiction.

1. Plan getaways.

Don’t feel guilty about intentionally enjoying your life. Just because a family member is struggling with an opioid addiction and might be in opioid rehab doesn’t mean you have to live a life of sadness and gloom. Find ways to get away and unplug from the craziness of everyday life. Plan frequent getaways. Whether you choose to do a getaway once a month or once every few months, make plans to travel. You can do road trips where you can enjoy Airbnb housing or hotels. You might even choose to travel to an international island and enjoy sun rays. However, make sure that you’re intentional about planning a getaway on a regular basis so that you can refresh yourself and enjoy a sabbatical.

2. Develop a healthy sleep regimen.

Always be intentional about developing a healthy sleep regimen. When you are stressed out, it’s easy to become an insomniac. Because you have so many thoughts and stressors going through your mind at one time, it’s easy to stay awake with your thoughts. Instead, find ways to unwind and relax before bed. Stop watching TV after a certain time. Learn to relax your mind by listening to soft music, taking a bath and drinking a warm cup of chamomile tea. When you implement certain practices that can help you fall asleep better, you’ll have a better chance of experiencing deep, quality sleep.

3. Focus on positivity.

If your mind is consumed with all of the negativity around you, you’ll only create more of that negativity in different ways. Instead, now is the time to cultivate an attitude and lifestyle that’s geared towards positivity. When you wake up in the morning, find ways to be actively grateful. Consider keeping a gratitude journal. Listen to motivational speakers who encourage you to be your best self. Read inspirational books before you get started for your day. Recite affirmations and manifestations that encourage you to be positive. As you consistently develop this practice, you’ll find that your lifestyle will follow suit.

4. Sit down with a mental health counselor.

During this type of crisis, there are a lot of emotions you’re going to experience. Those emotions can range from rage and sadness to depression and hopelessness. You have to uncover them and make sure they don’t develop roots in your heart. When you don’t deal with your emotions in a healthy way, this can lead to some catastrophic results. Knowing this, it’s important to sit down with a mental health counselor on a regular basis. A mental health counselor can help you work through the emotional baggage that you are carrying as a result of your loved one’s addiction.

5. Be honest with yourself.

Always be honest with yourself. While lying is bad, the worst person you want to lie to is yourself. If you are not feeling happy, acknowledge that. If you are feeling really unsure, it’s okay to feel unsure. It’s okay to be honest about your emotions and your feelings. It’s also okay to let others know how you’re feeling as well. Sometimes, people put you in a position as the savior of your family. In reality, you need someone to help you. Don’t deny your need for help and support. You are not a superhero to the point where you’re invincible. Don’t make the mistake of denying yourself the care and love that you need in order to be a healthy and whole person.

In your desire to be there for a loved one who struggles with an opioid addiction, don’t forget to be there for yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will. You don’t want to end up in the position where ten years have passed and you can’t account for any of that time because you’ve been serving everybody else but yourself. Utilize these five tips and be intentional about enjoying the present.